Month 1 : South Africa - Explore Archived World Race Alumni Blogs

Ministry has looked different than I ever could’ve imagined. Coming into this first month I had so many different expectations of what this month might hold. After the first weekend, I literally just threw out any ideas of what might happen on this journey.

After 3 flights, a 15 hour layover, a 15 hour bus ride, and a total of 75 hours of travel we arrived in Jeffrey’s Bay. Immediately upon arrival we were told to go buy warm clothes; the next day we headed up into the mountains to work at a mountain bike race. We served soup and spoke to people about Christ. I even got interviewed for the event (still cringing).

After that, our first full week of ministry was driving 45 minutes one way to Port Elizabeth where we worked at Father’s House Church. We worked on decor, did a Bible study with the staff, and painted a mural on the wall. At the end of the week, we attended the women’s conference we were decorating for. We worked with the children during some sessions, and we attended some of them. Basically, we allowed moms to go and be filled with the Word and be loved on.

The last 2 weeks, we’ve worked at an after school ministry called Beats and Books. Kids come after school is out, and we help them with their schoolwork and they learn how to play instruments such as the guitar, violin, trumpet, piano, and drums. Once they show up, they’re fed a small meal, and go work on their homework. After a bit, we all come together and the kids lead us in worship. After the 2 hours are up, the kids get a piece of fruit upon leaving. We helped with numeracy, literacy, and reading. The kids’ love, zest for life, and overall demeanor is incredible, and I’ve been blessed by them.

Over this past weekend, we volunteered at a kids summer camp. 35 first and second graders welcomed the Americans with open arms and lots of love. The weekend consisted of two of my teammates and I rooming in the boys dorm, me being chased by a bat, teaching little boys how to properly brush their teeth, helping little girls brush their hair after their shower, lots of dancing, too much candy, and so much Jesus. 5 kids raised their hands during the alter call, and I pray that they go back to their homes and make a difference in their family.

As this month comes to an end, I’ve learned a few things – some funny, some sad, and some very realistic things…here’s 10 things I’ve realized as this month comes to a close :

If you’re anywhere in the vicinity of the beach, you will constantly be eating sand.
If you were at the beach a week ago, you will still randomly crunch on some sand while you’re just sitting at the table reading your Bible.
If you’re actually at the beach, you will be cleaning sand out of your ears for days.
Sand is literally the devil. Can you say #naturalexfolient. Ask me how much I hate sand lol
Even if you speak a different language, love is a universal language that everyone understands.
A child’s laughter is contagious, especially when they’re laughing at your funny accent
It’s easy to be thankful for simple things, like a hot shower or a good mattress -try it sometime, you’ll have a really good day, I promise.
Spending time in the Word with your Heavenly Father in the morning will change your whole day.
When you pray for the Lord to challenge you, He’ll gladly do so. He has a sense of humor, so you should remember to laugh at yourself too because we all know he’s laughing too.
Ministry can be a whole assortment of things, and not always what you expect it to be. Embrace the unknown, and remember that you’re doing what the Lord has called you to do. It’s not all about you, but about being humble in the tasks.

Post 15 hour flight and consecutive 9 hour flight; I didn’t sleep either flight, and we had to wait in the airport for 12 hours for our bus. I hadn’t slept in about 30 hours, and decided to set up my sleeping mat on the ground in the Johannesburg airport. Shortly after I fell asleep, a guard came over and yelled at us, telling us we can’t sleep because it’s daytime.